It is the goal of the United Nations to ensure that the world’s population has access to energy that is reliable, sustainable, affordable and modern by 2030.
Will we know the goal has been accomplished?
There are five targets set that need to be reached to consider the goal accomplished. The third deals with something concrete: doubling the world’s energy efficiency. The other four are more abstract. They do not deal in absolutes, rather they seek to better the state the current energy systems find themselves in. It is impossible to determine if access to energy has become universal, and the remaining goals refer to a substantial increase, enhancement or expansion of areas of the energy sector. Four of the five targets are not easily quantifiable, therefore it must be decided upon by the UN if the targets have been reached come 2030.
How can we know the goal has been accomplished?
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Target one requires that everyone have energy by 2030, but that would mean every part of the world would require the proper infrastructure be developed in a short span of time. As of 2010, the total rate of electrification excluding North and South Africa is 51% or lower and in rural areas it was less than 25% (Mandelli, Barbieri, Mattarolo, and Colombo, 2014). In the span of twenty years it would be impossible to achieve a universal access to energy for all from where that starting point. Another target requires a substantial increase in the portion of energy used that is renewable. In 2010 the world ran off of 18% renewable energy, and by 2030 it would be possible to double that to 36% if the renewable energy goals of twenty-six countries are met, and remaining countries fulfill a portion of their renewable energy potential